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Area Briefing, Nov. 12-18

PursuitSAFETY presented its 2013 Safer Way Award to the Metropolitan Police Department on Oct. 22 during the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Philadelphia.

PursuitSAFETY is a nonprofit civilian organization working to reduce deaths of innocent bystanders and police officers resulting from the violent crashes that can occur when drivers flee police. The organization also provides support to bereaved families and injured victims of vehicular police pursuits.

The organization annually honors a law enforcement department that has made significant, well-designed revisions to its vehicular pursuit practice and policy, increasing safety for police and the public.

The Metropolitan Police Department is one of a growing number of law enforcement agencies around the country that have implemented restrictive pursuit policies, according to PursuitSAFETY.

For more information, visit pursuitsafety.org.

NEW CROSSWALK AIMS TO PROTECT STUDENTS, RESIDENTS

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian of Ward 1 demonstrated the newest pedestrian safety improvements in her district Nov. 2 on the south side of the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Redwood Street.

The city of Las Vegas installed a new bi-modal school and pedestrian crosswalk warning system at the location. It warns motorists of students crossing Charleston during school hours, signified by flashers and a message board that reads, “School Crossing 25 MPH.”

During other times of the day, a pedestrian can push a button to turn on the flashers, and a message board will announce to drivers that a pedestrian is crossing.

A traffic study revealed that besides being a busy crosswalk for students, it is also a popular crossing location for people taking the bus and for those who reside in the apartments on the north side while attending classes at the College of Southern Nevada, Tarkanian said.

Because Charleston Boulevard is a state-maintained roadway, the new device required approval from the Nevada Department of Transportation. The cost for installation was about $80,000.

NATIONAL GUARDSMAN HONORED FOR SAVING 2-YEAR-OLD’S LIFE

Nevada National Guard Spc. Steven Thompson received an Army Commendation Medal on Nov. 2 at the Nevada National Guard’s Las Vegas Readiness Center, 4500 W. Silverado Ranch Blvd., for saving the life of his 2-year-old neighbor last summer.

The child fell into a pool and was underwater for about five minutes. He was unresponsive when Thompson came to his aid.

Thompson performed cardiopulmunary resuscitation compression and continued lifesaving procedures for more than 12 minutes until medical personnel arrived. His efforts were credited for helping save the child’s life.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PLANS WORKSHOP ON DRONES AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Unmanned aerial systems, commonly called drones, may be relatively small, but they could have a big impact on Nevada’s economy and natural resources, according to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

The Cooperative Extension plans a public workshop on drones from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at its Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road. The workshop is set to focus on how communities in Nevada can become involved with drones as an economic initiative. The event is scheduled to be broadcast to 16 locations in Nevada.

The cost of the workshop is $25. For more information or to register, email steinmannf@unce.unr.edu or call 775-784-1931.

VOLUNTEERS RENOVATE FREEDOM HOUSE SOBER LIVING

A group of Shield of HOPE volunteers recently helped renovate the 56-unit Freedom House Sober Living, 3852 Palos Verdes St.

Shield of HOPE, a faith-based outreach program of the Metropolitan Police Department’s South Central Area Command, is a chapter of the national Shield of HOPE program for law enforcement, and HOPE stands for healing, outreach, prevention and enforcement.

Since 2010, Freedom House has helped its residents stay sober. The recent renovations represented the second phase of the overhaul. Volunteers from Home Depot and Veterans Village Las Vegas pitched in for the first phase. The second phase included painting, cleaning, decorating and landscaping.

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS

Volunteers and donations are needed for the upcoming Project Homeless Connect.

The project helps thousands of homeless people in Southern Nevada connect with agencies and organizations that offer various services.

More than 350 volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, including escorting homeless individuals and helping them check in during Project Homeless Connect, set for Nov. 19 at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Homeless participants can check in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 7 a.m. and stay until 4 p.m. but may spend a half-day at the event. For more information about volunteering, call 702-892-2300 or visit nevadahomelessalliance.org.

Valley residents also can donate items such as bus passes, cases of bottled water and nonperishable food. Monetary donations are also welcome. For more information about donating, call the Nevada Homeless Alliance at 702-743-1487.

A census conducted in January revealed that more than 7,300 homeless people are staying in shelters or on the streets in the valley.

Project Homeless Connect is coordinated by the Nevada Homeless Alliance.

MANHOLE SURVEY WORK TO CAUSE LANE RESTRICTIONS AROUND CITY

The Clark County Water Reclamation District recently announced lane restrictions at various locations as part of manhole survey work.

Restrictions are planned through Nov. 8 on southbound 28th Street between Charleston Boulevard and Menlo Square Drive; on northbound Fremont Street at St. Louis Avenue; on westbound Wyoming Avenue at St. Louis Avenue; on westbound Glen Avenue from Sahara to Jacyra avenues; and on westbound Twain Avenue at Palos Verdes Street. In addition, restrictions are scheduled through Nov. 13 on southbound Sandhill Road at Olive Street. Work is scheduled between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Work also is planned between 3 and 5 a.m. through Nov. 14 on Flamingo Road at Las Vegas Boulevard South. The center westbound lane on Flamingo is set to be closed at Las Vegas Boulevard. The center eastbound lane on Flamingo also is slated to be closed at Las Vegas Boulevard. The right-most southbound lane on Las Vegas Boulevard is scheduled to be closed at Flamingo. Also, the center eastbound lane on Flamingo is slated to be closed at Koval Lane, and the left northbound lane on Koval is slated to be closed at Flamingo.

Drivers should take precautions, use alternate routes and allow extra time when traveling through the impacted area, district officials said. For more information and traffic updates, call the project hotline at 702-668-8668.

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLED ON CLARK AVENUE

A new traffic signal recently went into operation at Clark Avenue and Maryland Parkway as part of ongoing improvements on Clark and Bonneville avenues, the city of Las Vegas announced.

The signal is part of the $4.6 million Bonneville/Clark One-Way Couplet Phase II Project that started in February. The project aims to provide improved traffic flow and is slated to include full-depth roadway reconstruction, sidewalk in-fill and repair, storm drain installation on Bonneville and traffic signal upgrades.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS COURT BUSINESS CAN BE CONDUCTED ONLINE

Defendants, attorneys and others can access Las Vegas Municipal Court information and conduct legal business through the city’s website at municourt.lasvegasnevada.gov.

Site users can view cases, enter pleas, post bail for people in custody and take care of other matters.

For more information, call 702-382-6878.

FREE SHREDDING EVENT SET FOR NOV. 16

A free shredding event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 in the south parking lot at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive.

Bonneville Avenue is scheduled to be extended eastbound from First Street to Maryland Parkway to improve traffic flow, according to the city of Las Vegas. Previously, Bonneville stretched eastbound between First Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Traffic flow changes also are planned on Clark Avenue, which is set to be extended westbound from Las Vegas Boulevard to Maryland Parkway. Previously, Clark spanned between Las Vegas Boulevard and First Street.

The changes are part of the $4.6 million Bonneville/Clark One-Way Couplet Phase II Project that started in February. The project is aimed at improving traffic flow and includes plans for roadway reconstruction, sidewalk in-fill and repair, storm drain installation on Bonneville and traffic signal upgrades. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

LANE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE ON MARYLAND PARKWAY

The Clark County Water Reclamation District recently announced lane restrictions through at least Nov. 15 along Maryland Parkway as part of sewer rehabilitation work.

Middle and inner southbound lanes on Maryland Parkway from Katie Avenue to Flamingo Road are set to be closed 24 hours a day, with work conducted 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drivers are advised to use alternate routes and allow extra time when traveling through the project area.

For more information, call the project hotline at 702-668-8668 or visit thelvpipeline.com.

COURT WARNS OF SCAM INVOLVING JURY DUTY

The Eighth Judicial District Court recently advised residents to be aware of a scam regarding jury service.

Individuals falsely identifying themselves as law enforcement officers have been calling Clark County residents claiming that an arrest warrant was issued against them for failure to appear for jury service. The scammers then offer to dismiss the warrant for a sum of money.

Residents are advised to report the matter to law enforcement officials for investigation.

For more information, call 702-455-4472 or visit clarkcountycourts.us.

RESIDENT GRADUATES FROM HOPE COURT PROGRAM

A graduation ceremony took place Oct. 29 at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave., as part of the Las Vegas Municipal Court Habitual Offender Prevention and Education program.

Daryl Simmons joined the program on Aug. 15, 2012, after his 128th arrest. After spending five months in the HOPE Court program, Simmons was able to move out on his own, thanks to assistance from HELP of Southern Nevada.

The HOPE Court program is aimed at providing a second chance to habitual offenders with issues related to homelessness, misdemeanors and substance abuse. The program finds housing for participants and requires them to complete drug treatment, counseling and job readiness and life-skill courses.

Participants must stay out of trouble and abstain from drugs and alcohol during the program.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 702-382-6878.

SEMINAR TO FOCUS ON CYBER FRAUD

City National Bank plans a seminar on cyber fraud from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 20 on the third floor of The Innevation Center, 6795 Edmond St.

The featured speaker is scheduled to be Jeff Lanza, a retired FBI special agent with more than 20 years’ experience investigating corruption, fraud, organized crime, cyber crime, human trafficking and terrorism.

Those who are interested must RSVP by Nov. 13 at cnb.com/events, using the event code Vegas Fraud. Business attire is required.